ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASEThis document is provided for archival purposes only.
Archived documents do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual inaccuracies.

October 12, 2001Contact: Steve Sherlock, (360) 902-2375

Warning: Low water poses hazard at some boat ramps

OLYMPIA – Although the rains have begun to fall in many parts of the state, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is warning boaters that access ramps on many lakes and streams still present a hazard because of low-water conditions.

Warning signs advising boaters to "Use Ramp at Own Risk" have gone up at more than a dozen WDFW access sites, most of them on the west side of the Cascade Mountains, said Steve Sherlock, WDFW lands access manager.

"Even though we're starting to get some rain, the water level in a lot of our lakes and streams is still very low," Sherlock said. "The situation can change from one week to the next, and we're just asking people to exercise caution – especially if they see a warning sign by the ramp."

Peter Dietrichson, regional WDFW land manager in Montesano, said he recently received a report of a man swamping his pickup truck at Island Lake in Mason County after backing off the end of the ramp in an effort to bring his boat ashore. Since then, the agency has posted a warning sign at the ramp and has installed higher "stop planks" at the end of several other ramps to give drivers a clear signal if they're about to back into trouble.

"Unfortunately, the only remedy for some of these sites is more water," Dietrichson said. "Until water levels rise, we're asking people to assess the situation carefully before attempting to launch or haul out their boat."

Ironically, the problem is more pronounced in western Washington than on the "dry side of the mountains," because water levels in eastern Washington are often controlled by irrigation systems, Sherlock said.

Boat ramps at the following WDFW access sites currently posted with warning signs include: